Uncommon heart operation successfully executed by Kenyan medical professionals

In a significant breakthrough for cardiac care in Kenya, a 68-year-old man who had suffered a heart attack three weeks earlier underwent a rare and innovative procedure called Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL). This groundbreaking treatment, led by Dr. Vijaysinh Patil, an interventional cardiologist at The Nairobi West Hospital, marks a significant step forward in the country's heart healthcare.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death across Africa, including Kenya, with lifestyle changes and an ageing population contributing to rising numbers of heart patients. Calcified artery blockages, especially common in older individuals with underlying health conditions, pose a significant challenge in treatment.

The patient, who was diagnosed with multiple severely calcified blockages in his coronary arteries, was an ideal candidate for the IVL procedure. This technique offers an alternative for patients in such situations by using a balloon catheter that emits controlled sonic waves to selectively fracture hardened calcium inside the vessel wall.

During the procedure, the medical team used an IVL balloon to deliver pulses in two blocked arteries, successfully breaking down the calcium and placing two stents with precision. The technology allows for the calcium to be broken down without harming the healthy parts of the artery, reducing the risks associated with open surgery and shortening recovery times.

Dr. Patil emphasised that the use of IVL is not just a technical achievement but also progress in making advanced cardiac care accessible to the Kenyan population, benefiting many patients in the years to come. This procedure spares patients the financial and logistical burden of traveling abroad for advanced treatment.

Last year, doctors in Nairobi performed the country's first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), a non-surgical replacement of a narrowed heart valve. By adopting technologies such as IVL, doctors say Kenya is moving closer to international standards of care.

The successful use of IVL in Nairobi adds to a growing list of advanced heart procedures carried out in Kenya in recent months. These developments highlight the growing capacity for minimally invasive cardiology in Kenya. The patient recovered well and was discharged the following day, demonstrating the effectiveness of this groundbreaking procedure.

With the successful implementation of IVL, Kenya continues to make strides in the field of cardiology, providing hope for many heart patients in the country.